Chalk teaching is widely used in the world due to low cost, especially in some developing countries. During teaching with chalks, a large amount of fine chalk dust is produced. Although exposure to chalk dust is associated with respiratory diseases, the mechanism underlying the correlation between chalk dust exposure and adverse effects has not fully been elucidated. In this study, inflammation and its signal pathway in rat lungs exposed to fine chalk dust were examined through histopathology analyses; pro-inflammatory gene transcription; and protein levels measured by HE staining, RT-PCR, and western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that fine chalk dust increased neutrophils and up-regulated inflammatory gene mRNA levels (TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β1, iNOS, and ICAM-1), and oxidative stress marker (HO-1) level, leading to the increase of inflammatory cell infiltration and inflammatory injury on the lungs. These inflammation responses were mediated, at least in part, via p38 and extracellular regulated proteinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling mechanisms. In contrast, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) supplement significantly ameliorated these changes in inflammatory responses. Our results support the hypothesis that fine chalk dust can damage rat lungs and the NAC supplement may attenuate fine chalk dust-associated lung inflammation.

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The airborne particulate pollutants originating in the deserts of Mongolia and China which becomes contaminated with industrial effluents and traffic emissions while moving with the wind currents towa...

The inflammatory cellular model of RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has always been used to investigate the effect of anti-inflammatory agents in vitro. In the present study, the a...

Using a genetic resource that enables rapid mapping of genes for complex traits, we demonstrate dramatic diversity between murine strains in response to immune challenge. We identified several candida...

This phase II trial studies how well selumetinib works in treating patients with solid
tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or histiocytic disorders with MAPK pathway activation mutations
that ha...

Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions

Interleukin-8

A member of the CXC chemokine family that plays a role in the regulation of the acute inflammatory response. It is secreted by variety of cell types and induces CHEMOTAXIS of NEUTROPHILS and other inflammatory cells.

A proline-directed serine/threonine protein kinase which mediates signal transduction from the cell surface to the nucleus. Activation of the enzyme by phosphorylation leads to its translocation into the nucleus where it acts upon specific transcription factors. p40 MAPK and p41 MAPK are isoforms.

Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome

Exuberant inflammatory response towards previously undiagnosed or incubating opportunistic pathogens. It is frequently seen in AIDS patients following HAART.

Biopsy, Fine-needle

Using fine needles (finer than 22-gauge) to remove tissue or fluid specimens from the living body for examination in the pathology laboratory and for disease diagnosis.

RespiratoryAsthma
COPD
Cystic Fibrosis
Pneumonia
Pulmonary Medicine
Respiratory
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are any infection of the sinuses, throat, airways or lungs. They're usually caused by viruses, but they can also ...